The Cupboard By Walter De La Mare

Walter De La Mare had a gift for making the ordinary feel like a secret. His poem The Cupboard is a perfect little example. It takes something you see every day and turns it into a doorway to wonder.

You’ve got a cupboard, right? Maybe it’s full of mismatched mugs and old board games. Maybe it’s the one that never quite closes. De La Mare looks at a cupboard and sees a tiny house—a place with its own mysteries, its own inhabitants, its own quiet life.

The Cupboard as a Hidden Kingdom

In the poem, the cupboard isn’t just storage. It’s a world. The shelves become streets, the cups become characters, and the shadows become secrets. And honestly, who doesn’t love a good secret?

De La Mare’s language is simple, almost singsong. But that’s the trick. He sneaks big ideas in through a small door. The poem reminds us that imagination doesn’t need a passport or a plane ticket. It just needs a little attention.

Think about it. When you were a kid, did you ever peek inside a cupboard and wonder what the plates were whispering about? Probably not—but you could have. That’s the fun of it.

The poem’s rhythm is another delight. It has a gentle, rocking quality, like a song you half-remember. You can almost hear the hinges creak as you read. That’s the kind of magic that stays with you.

Why This Poem Makes Life More Fun

First, it turns chores into adventures. Next time you’re hunting for a missing lid, pretend you’re exploring a cave. Suddenly, the Tupperware feels epic.

Second, it’s a reminder that curiosity is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. De La Mare flexes his on every line. You can do the same with a drawer, a box, or even a backpack.

The Cupboard by Walter de la Mare I 9th LCM Speech Festival 2025 I

Third, it’s short. You can read it in a minute, then spend the rest of the day noticing small, wonderful things. That’s a pretty good return on your time, right?

And here’s the best part: you don’t need to be a poet to play along. Just ask yourself, “What if this cupboard had a story to tell?” Then listen. You might be surprised what answers back.

Try a game with friends or kids. Give everyone a cupboard, a drawer, or a box. Ask them to describe the secret world inside. You’ll be amazed at the stories that spill out.

You can also make it a mindful moment. Instead of rushing past that old cupboard, pause. Notice the chipped paint, the crooked handle, the smell of old wood. There’s a poem in there somewhere.

A Poet Who Loved the Everyday

Walter De La Mare wrote for both children and adults, and he never talked down to either. His poems are gentle, eerie, and full of music. He found magic in moonlight, in listeners, and yes, in cupboards.

The Cupboard by Walter de la Mare - YouTube

That’s why his work still feels fresh. It doesn’t rely on explosions or special effects. It relies on the quiet power of looking closer. And that’s a power you already have.

So why not use it? Pick a cupboard in your home. Any cupboard. Open it slowly. Let your imagination do the rest.

Your Invitation to Wonder

You could write your own cupboard poem. You could draw the secret world inside. You could even leave a tiny note for the next person who opens it. Go on—be a little mysterious.

Poetry like this isn’t meant to sit on a shelf. It’s meant to be played with, shared, and lived. De La Mare would want you to have fun with it. He’d want you to see the extraordinary hiding in plain sight.

So here’s your challenge: find The Cupboard online or in a library. Read it out loud. Then look at your own cupboard with new eyes. You might just find a whole world waiting behind the door.

And that, my friend, is a pretty inspiring place to start. Happy exploring.